Tom Corbett and Tom Wolf debate tax policy, education spending

Governor Tom Corbett, and Democratic candidate for Governor Tom Wolf, square off in a debate during the Pennsylvania Chamber 30th annual dinner Monday at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey. (CHRIS KNIGHT / SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL)

— Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and Democratic challenger Tom Wolf faced off in their first debate Monday evening, sparring over tax policy, education spending and the direction the state is heading.

There were few fireworks between the two men. Wolf was calm and collected throughout the 45-minute debate, launching few pointed attacks on the incumbent, and Corbett grew more comfortable as he responded to his opponent's criticisms.

Corbett, who consistently has trailed Wolf by wide margins in public opinion polls, repeatedly pressed the York businessman to provide specifics on how he would revamp education spending and Pennsylvania's income tax system.

Wolf provided few details, instead sticking to his broad plans for creating what he says would be a "fairer" tax system and an education system that would better prepare Pennsylvanians for available jobs. He tailored his answers to the sold-out crowd at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's annual dinner, often reminding the business leaders that he ran a kitchen-cabinet company.

"We need a fresh start," Wolf said. "I think we need to go in a different direction. I think we need a new governor."

The first-term governor acknowledged he hasn't been a strong salesman for his administration's record, but emphasized what he described as promises kept on keeping taxes and government spending low.

"Everybody makes mistakes. Have I communicated the best? Probably not," Corbett told the crowd of more than 1,800 at the Hershey Lodge. "But I made tough decisions. I was hired to change the culture of Harrisburg."

It took Corbett a question or so to find his footing. After a rambling opening statement and stiffly defending his education funding record in response to an initial question, Corbett grew visibly more comfortable as the conversation shifted to taxes.

As moderator Dennis Owens, a reporter and anchor for Harrisburg-area television station ABC27, pressed Corbett on whether he kept his no-tax-hike pledge, the governor contrasted his record against Wolf's calls for a severance tax and changes to the state's flat income tax rate.

Corbett said legislation putting a fee on shale drilling and raising the gasoline tax didn't break his promise. Later, he shifted the burden back to Wolf, arguing that the new spending proposals that the Democrat has put forward so far would require $6.5 billion in new tax money.

"So the question is: Where do you get the money?" Corbett asked. "Honestly, I think it's time that Mr. Wolf shared his plan."

Wolf, the former state revenue secretary, declined to get into the details of how he would replace Pennsylvania's income tax with a graduated levy system. Asked about whether some — particularly high earners and businesses — would end up paying more under such a system, Wolf replied that under the current system, some are paying too much, and he repeated his aim of making the system "fairer."

"Fairness is in the eye of the beholder, I understand that," Wolf said, adding: "I think I should pay more."

On education spending, Wolf, who has blasted Corbett for not replacing the federal stimulus money that went to schools, also avoided committing to specifics. He said that while simply throwing money at schools isn't the answer, "you can't keep disinvesting either."

Corbett reiterated the line from his latest television ad, saying Wolf and his supporters have spent millions of dollars "putting out a lie" that Corbett cut education money. The governor noted the disappearing stimulus money and spiraling pension and health care costs, before arguing that his teacher evaluation system and other policies will help schools to better use their money.

Wolf's decision to stick to his broad plans instead of more nuanced aspects of policy likely was a wise decision, said Franklin & Marshall College political scientist G. Terry Madonna. Madonna praised Corbett as giving one of his stronger performances, but with Wolf's lead, Madonna said it was smart of the Democrat to avoid getting tangled in details and making a mistake.

"Wolf ran as the front-runner and Tom Corbett, oddly enough, ran as the challenger," Madonna said.

In public opinion polls, Wolf has looked more like the incumbent. A poll released Sunday by The Morning Call/Muhlenberg College showed 52 percent of likely voters backing Wolf, and 31 percent voting for Corbett. The 21-point difference is in line with other recent polls that have put the gap between 11 and 31 percentage points.

Wolf also has a financial lead heading into the final weeks, according to The Associated Press. The news wire reported that the campaign finance reports due this week will show Wolf with a cash advantage of about $1.7 million.

The men will meet in two more debates — on Oct. 1 in Philadelphia and Oct. 8 in suburban Pittsburgh.